Arizona Cardinals appoint NFL's first female coach

37-year-old American, Jen Welter, has been hired as a linebacker coach for pre-season by Cardinals head coach, Bruce Arians.

He said it didn't matter if a coach was "the Green Hornet" as long as players felt he or she could help them improve.

Welter, who spent 14 seasons as a professional American football player, added "I'm honoured to be a part of this amazing team."

Arians said he had spoken to his squad about Welter and insisted "they were all very cool" with her appointment.

He added: "I thought she was the type of person that could handle this in a very positive way for women and open that door".

"It's not going to be a distraction in any way."

Welter, who has a master's degree in sports psychology, became the first female to play in a non-kicking position in a men's professional league.

She was a running back and special teams player for Indoor Football League team, Texas Revolution in February 2014.

Welter also played as a linebacker for 14 seasons with the Dallas Diamonds in the Women's Football Alliance.

She was also the first woman to coach in a men's professional league after training the Revolution last season.

Source:BBC sports